The Serranos had arrived before 10:30 a.m., when parking spaces were still available and walkways were accessible. The Citadel would have been much more crowded by that time, they said, adding that they hoped it would be their last shopping excursion before Christmas Day arrives Tuesday.

About 56 percent of holiday shoppers, or about 134 million people, planned to buy something on what’s known as “Super Saturday,” the last Saturday before Christmas, according to figures released last week by the National Retail Federation.

“Holiday shoppers have been out in full force these last few weeks, but many are still waiting to complete their shopping this weekend,” said Matthew Shay, the retail federation’s president and CEO, in a statement.

Interested in this topic? You may also want to view these photo galleries:

On Saturday, young visitors at the Camarillo center had the opportunity to geek out at an array of small 3D printers hauled in by CSU Channel Islands and kidSTREAM, a nonprofit children’s museum planned in Camarillo. A half-dozen printers were set up near Panera Bread to make snowflake ornaments children could take home for free, said Phil Hampton, a chemistry professor at the university who is also a museum board member.

Not far from the snowflake production line, near a towering Christmas tree in the center’s Promenade section, Santa was on hand from noon until 4 p.m. He is also scheduled to return Sunday and Monday, from noon to 4 p.m., in different sections of the mall.

“We’re in the home stretch of the holiday selling season,” said Elaine Kelly, the outlet center’s director of marketing and business development, who brought her two boys with her Saturday to do some shopping herself. “We’re excited for the next three days.”

Santa will also be posing for pictures at other local centers, including Pacific View mall in Ventura. He is scheduled at the Ventura mall from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekend, with two 45-minute breaks starting at noon and 3:45 p.m. On Christmas Eve Monday, Santa’s hours in Ventura will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a 45-minute break at 1 p.m.

Diego Hernandez, an 18-year-old Simi Valley resident, had driven to Camarillo with two family members Saturday.

The outlet center has “a pretty decent selection of stores,” Hernandez said as he stood outside the Vans Outlet. “It’s always a decent place to do last-minute shopping.”

In addition to regular discounts, kiosks held fliers offering additional discounts at many of the center’s shops.

The general mood Saturday morning seemed relaxed and focused. Shoppers strolled along walkways carrying bags full of goods.

Even some mall workers were getting in on the action.

Ben Magaña, a 24-year-old Santa Paula resident, put a bag from Forever 21 in his car about an hour before starting his shift at the Express Factory Outlet. He wore a colorful Christmas sweater featuring a tree festooned with bells and red ornaments.

Magaña had advice for other last-minute shoppers, saying he knows how hectic the center gets after 1 p.m. or so when the parking lot fills up.